there is a nice winter storm blanketing the dc area. and here i am smiling about it.
Author: JBT
Born in Washington, DC and raised in Crofton, Maryland, Jonathan B. Tucker (JBT) is a writer, performer, educator, DJ, and dreamer passionate about poetry, youth empowerment, racial and social justice, and finding purpose through service to others. He has received numerous awards and artist fellowships, and has performed and taught at schools, libraries, detention centers, museums, and conferences around the world. His poems have appeared in Howard University’s Amistad Journal alongside the late Amiri Baraka (Howard University, 2011), in Etan Thomas’s anthology Voices of the Future (Haymarket Books, 2012), in two self-published chapbooks (jonathan b. tucker, 2010; and i got the matches, 2012), and on the stages of the Kennedy Center and the South African State Theatre. JBT represented DC at the National Poetry Slam in 2009 and 2010, and has helped coordinate and coach the DC Youth Slam Team with Split This Rock since 2011.
a great monday night
this is not my best performance ever. not my worst either. it certainly was fun though.
Christmastime for the Jews!
this is so awesome. i want to hear somebody perform it live. check out this video to see what me and my people will be doing on this, and every December 25th.
Youth Open Mic Saturday
if you're around the DC area, i hope to see you this saturday at 5pm at the downtown 5th & K Busboys and Poets where i am co-hosting the Youth Open Mic. it goes down every 3rd saturday of the month, same time, same place.
Oh and he broke my pen in half
Matt slapped me 3 times and when I tried to write you a note he took it and put it in his mouth and spit it at me. He cursed at me when he saw that you gave me a gatorade and was hitting golfballs really hard around the house. Then after I told mom … Continue reading Oh and he broke my pen in half
high school open mic this friday at bloombars
join us this friday at five. rsvp on facebook.
congratulations, you are reading
i thought i would commend you for a job well done, thus far at least, with a small mention of your great accomplishment, as it has played out, this instant, in some trivial web reading. but alas, you are reading nonetheless! and in our day and age, well slap me silly and call me bob, … Continue reading congratulations, you are reading
Intro to Slam Poetry & Spoken Word
I am offering a series of workshops through the Family Academy of Alexandria City Public Schools in Alexandria, Virginia. They are completely FREE and you can sign up and register on the spot. Email me at jtucker@teachingforchange.org if you have any questions. Hope to see you there! Intro to Slam Poetry & Spoken Word Creative … Continue reading Intro to Slam Poetry & Spoken Word
matches + candles = happy holidays
as the sun went down on world aids day. chanukah started. wed. dec. first. otherwise referred to as yesterday. tonight is the second night of the jewish festival of lights and i haven't celebrated with anyone but myself yet. no worries though. i'm going home to be with my family tomorrow after work. if you're … Continue reading matches + candles = happy holidays
free world aids day event
teens against the spread of aids (tasa) show on tuesday
abecedarian on a napkin for fun while waiting
Monsters and Nemesis-ters On the Prowl Questing Quizzing Quizzically Reposing Supposing That's just what monsters do Undead Unveiled Viva la mort la Wanderlust X chromosome climbing the Y axis Zero Approaching from Below Catatonic Dead Eyes Flipping Giant Halos Inert Jerks Kickin' it Like __________________________________back to top
free lights at the top of the hill 11th street
as i turned from florida avenue hard right onto 11th street and began the ascent up the hill next to cardozo high, i had no clue what beautiful useful gift i would meet at the top. right there on the side of the road at the crest of the hill waba stood with cute little … Continue reading free lights at the top of the hill 11th street
Teens Against the Spread of AIDS
i've been working with TASA for a few months now, and we are ready to show you what we've got at the big big world aids day event at the children's national medical center on nov. 30th at 6pm. join us for CATWALK FOR A CURE. world aids day is december 1st. we're doing this … Continue reading Teens Against the Spread of AIDS
inferences and poetry workshops
on veterans day, i was the writing assignment, the live in-class lesson on poetry for 8th graders at stoddert middle school in temple hills, md. here is part of my poem written up to be dissected by the students. we were working on making inferences using our background knowledge and text clues. the day before, … Continue reading inferences and poetry workshops
love poem no. 415
you say our footprints disappear in the sand i say they get swallowed by the ocean andour memories are out therein the deep if you want to find themi have some goggles andlove to swim butsometimes it's too cold
T Street in November
this is the path i walk along everyday when i go to the post office and bank for my job. i thought you'd like to see this gorgeous tree. the leaves are changing colors and dying. students are studying hard and work is, well, work. luckily in my field even when it is busy and … Continue reading T Street in November
Jon, Barack, Saul, Amy, Van & Dick
this past week has been a major one for me. i've had no shortage of gigs and events, shows and adventures to keep me busy. monday was pretty normal, hosting the open mic at bloombars. tuesday was big because it was my first time hosting the beltway poetry slam. my friend dj niteshade held down … Continue reading Jon, Barack, Saul, Amy, Van & Dick
last tuesdays at the fridge
you will find the beltway poetry slam bringing the best and most varied performance poets from dc, md, and va coming together to compete with their own original creative words. beltwayslam@gmail.com for more info.
JBT 